Effect

In battle

Generation I

On the turn that Fly is selected, the user will fly up high, where the only attacks it cannot avoid are Bide, Swift, and Transform. On the following turn, Fly will inflict damage, PP will be deducted from it, and it will count as the last move used. Once Fly is selected, the user will be unable to switch out unless Fly is disrupted or fully executed.

If Fly is not fully executed, PP will not be deducted from it, and it will not count as the last move used. If the opponent uses Mirror Move during the turn that the user flies up high, Mirror Move will copy the move that the user executed immediately before using Fly (or fail if it cannot).

Full paralysis and self-inflicted damage due to confusion will disrupt Fly. Additionally, if the user is fully paralyzed during the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly, it will not be reset until the user switches out or fully executes Fly.

From Pokémon Stadium onward, Fly will allow the user to avoid Bide. Full paralysis will reset the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly. Mirror Move will copy Fly on either of the turns it takes to execute.

Pokémon can be caught during the semi-invulnerable stage of Fly.

Generation II

The user can now also be hit by Gust, Thunder, Twister, and Whirlwind during the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly, and will receive double damage from Gust and Twister, unless the flying Pokémon would not receive damage from the moves.

The user may also be hit in the air if it was previously targeted by Lock-On or Mind Reader, and then struck the following turn. Swift, Bide and Transform no longer hit on their own during the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly.

Generation III

The user can now also be hit by Sky Uppercut during the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly.

Generation IV

Fly's base power has increased from 70 to 90. The user is now unable to avoid moves used by Pokémon with the Ability No Guard during the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly, and unable to avoid moves if it has No Guard.

Outside of battle

Players can fly to locations they have visited. Most possible Fly destinations are places with Pokémon Centers, primarily cities and towns, but other significant locations can be flown to as well. Generally, simply entering a flyable location is all that is required to be able to use Fly for that location. There are some exceptions, however, such as Opelucid City in Black and White where the player must first view the Team Plasma event, and Ever Grande City in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald where the player must first climb the waterfall. The Johto Battle Frontier, by contrast, can automatically be accessed after the National Pokédex is obtained.

Using Fly usually lands the player in front of an area's Pokémon Center. If the location lacks a Pokémon Center, however, a suitable spot is otherwise used. These locations are detailed below.

The user soars, then strikes its target on the second turn. It can also be used for flying to any familiar town.The user soars, then strikes on the second turn. It can also be used to fly to any familiar town.*

In the anime

Golurk pulls its legs and hands into its body and releases powerful orange or light blue flames from the sockets to propel it into the air like a rocket. It then flies forward and slams its body into the opponent.

Trivia

Many Pokémon noted for their ability to fly over long distances are unable to learn this move, such as Yanmega, which is easily capable of transporting an adult in flight according to its Pokédex entry from HeartGold. Conversely, some of the Pokémon that can learn Fly, like Pidgey, appear to lack the physique required to transport a human being in flight, and Vullaby can learn it even though all of its Pokédex entries outside of Pokémon White state that its wings are too small for it to fly.

Doduo and Dodrio are both able to learn Fly, despite being based on flightless birds. If they use Fly in the 3D side-series games, they will be shown running in midair.

Out of all moves that have been HMs in all six generations, Fly is the only one that some Pokémon can learn by leveling up. (Though the move Waterfall also existed in all generations and some Pokémon can learn it via leveling up, it was not an HM until Generation II.)

While there are 14 Bug/Flying-type Pokémon, none of them can learn Fly. In fact, the only two Bug-type Pokémon that can learn Fly (Volcarona and Genesect) are not Flying-type.